MacDailyNews - Where Mac news comes first

The iPod hifi is just like the original iPod. Compact, easy to use, pricey, and good sounding.

It's gonna be a big hit (inspite of all the whining about the price) and the large profit margin is going to be good for Apples bottom line.

Playlistmag also gave it a good review, but after reading their take on the Altec, I'd rather go for that one and save $100.

Judging by the specs alone, would anyone ever eat Kraft Macaroni & Cheese? But when Mom made it for lunch on no-school snow days? Food of the gods.

Apple's m.o.- the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Time after time after time after time after…

Now would all you whiners please STFU already? Sheesh.

Great take MDN. PC Mag's conclusion says it all.

MDN's take is on target.

Excellent take, MDN, and true of all Apple products.

I would say that for an in-house design, it's pretty impressive stuff. And to produce fine speakers out of nothing, no prior knowledge except for its computer speakers in cooperation with Harman-Kardon, it shows that Apple is able to do about anything. It's this diversification, the knowledge to produce all kinds of equipment, that will make Apple strong.

Playlist:

Be careful. Every one I have seen in every single store has had a broken ipod holding mechanism. Three in the Apple store alone.

Okay, Mr. Bose, er... Jackson. Whatever, FUDmeister.

Every single iPod Hi-Fi I've seen in stores worked perfectly, iPod docks included.

I've heard it. It rocks. and yeah..it's probably $50 too high but then it DOES include the adaptability for various ipods and the long wished for remote. All these people who have compared it to their high end home system completely miss the point of a product like this. Yes, you can get a cable for your present ipod. Now...haul your system out on the deck, or string a wire out there, or buy a wireless system (and hear the loss of audio quality)...Or fit a massive system into a dorm room, or a kitchen. Make sure to install handles on your system and whatever you do...be certain to sit in that stereo sweet spot at all times. Ipod Hi-Fi is going to sell very well, not because it is perfectly priced or solves every audio need...but because it sounds GREAT..and fits some heretofore unmet needs in the market. Go listen to this system at an Apple store. Give it a workout. You will come away understanding why Apple made this. It's very, very good.

I want to moan about Bose....same old design for, well, bl**dy decades. They can't even upgrade the LED display from the ancient bar type to a nice dot matrix. Sorry, did I forget to mention which Bose? The all-in-one thingys. As someone here said, they still use ancient drivers made from paper pulp. I guess it still looks quite nice, but it's too expensive for what it is.
Ok I'm done moaning.

It looks pretty neat! However I would like to see how effeceint it is :exXXdbspl@1wat@1meter 20-20K.

On another note.....pun intended, Why not a rechargeable battery??? It's not that Apple doesn't have any connections in that area!! Plus there is already a converter built in? Run it off of an extra I, Power, or Mac Book Battery. Let the HIFI figure out which one it is. Seems like a no-brainer.....Yes? So WTF happened to "Think Different". Oh I know! ....Quick....Someone run to Coupertino..... BG has SJ and the crew held hostage in a closet. It's the closet with all the defunked MP3 players in it.

A Big one!





Defunked=all the George Clinton tracks have been removed

PAGING A 'MACDUDE'. PAGING A 'MR. BORING MACDUDE'.

MR. MACDUDE, PLEASE COME TO THE BAKERY SECTION OF THE STORE. YOUR PIE IS READY.

ONE HUMBLE PIE FOR A MR. BORING MACDUDE.

THANK YOU ALL FOR SHOPPING AT REALITY WORLD AND HAVE A NICE DAY.

MDN's take is an Apple Ass Kissing take. Nothing new there.

The HiFi is grossly overpriced. Period.

Do I really care what a computer magazine has to say about a bicycle? Then why would I care what they have to say about a speaker system?

Question to MDN: Exactly how does Steve Jobs' ass taste? MDN has accused many people of tasting Bill Gate's ass. I'm just curious what the differences might be. (From a clinical interest, you understand. I could never kiss ass to the degree of your lifestyle choice).

Mr. Cranky Pants (aka Mr. Informed) needs a time out and a nap.
No more caffeine for you today.
A good mouthwash with soap and water wouldn't hurt either.

Hey Trebor

You moan about Bose but "thingy" is the best you can come up with for a product reference? Are you really MacDude using a different sig?

Look deeper. The drivers in Bose professional products are based on Kevlar (the stuff they make bullet proof vests with).

I don't know what displays you're referring to. The models in our store have state of the art digital display panels.

Yo, Informed

Boring, very very boring.

You're a loser in spite of Apples winner!

"informed" (amazing that people choose to use these lables that are so inaccurate)...

Go LISTEN to this device.

From the mid 1970's on I've been involved in everything from audio production to speaker manufacturing. I WILL agree that the price is too high....by about $50. But show me another system that sounds THIS good (yes I've actually heard it)..and combines these features for $300. No other system combines multiple dock capability, portability, genuinely excellent sound, a remote and the quality of manufacturing Apple is known for. This thing rocks. Take it from someone who is genuinely informed.

OK - so we can add another alias to MacDude's growing list: 'Informed' (along with 'Murder Junkie').

Sorry man, your self-conscious spacing of sentences and usual rampant arrogance give you away on this one...

Artisticulated: Godammit, now I want some macaroni & cheese.

pr-

As I have said many times, I don't need to hear the device to make a value judgement. I'm sure it sounds great in a kitchen or small apartment. That isn't the issue. I have only harped on the specs as part of the value equation.

The Hi-Fi may be best of in its class. Its worth $150-$199 retail. Apple would be making a decent profit at that price.

Why are you willing to defend this overpriced product? This is the same Apple that sold a $499 computer with iLife. How does a plastic box with couple of tuned ports, conventional speaker drivers, a modest stereo amplifier, and an off-the-shelf digital-to-analog converter add up to $350?

I'm waiting to hear an answer from someone else in the know. Someone else from the world of audio, not a PC mag writer.

LordRobin: LOL

Nice to know I've touched someone in this cold hard digital world. >smile*sniff*tear<

Pino, I am still laughing. Great stuff.

MW: Can, as in "No one can top that!"

WOW, when did PC mag start giving Apple products such fine reviews?
I thought they weren't allowed to use the "A" word in the mag.

MacDailyNews Take: The difference is striking between reviews by those who actually used, tested, and heard the iPod Hi-Fi versus the opinion pieces from some who've only looked at photos, text descriptions, and specs.

As usual MDN ignores any less than spectacular reviews....
-----
Here´s another review from ilounge:
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/comments/ipod-hi-fi-high-fidelity-speaker-system-for-ipod/

"Top existing all-in-one iPod speaker systems deliver better dynamic range (particularly treble response) at close distances; our favorites also include independent, incremental bass and/or treble controls. No video or data ports on back. Staid design, high price, and top-mounted iPod dock detract from appeal. Nearly seventeen-pound weight with batteries renders it the heaviest of all semi-portable speakers we’ve seen."

Suggested higher rated alternatives:
Altec Lansing's inMotion iM7 (iLounge rating: A-), Bose's SoundDock (iLounge rating: B+), and JBL's On Time (iLounge rating: B+)

"Considering all of these factors, and despite its good (if warm) low-volume sound and strong performance at high volumes, iPod Hi-Fi falls somewhere in the middle of the semi-portable speaker pack. Because of its comparatively high price, staid design, and underwhelming treble response, it's hard to recommend to typical iPod users over Altec's inMotion iM7, Bose's SoundDock, or JBL's On Time for most of their listening purposes."

"For these reasons, we consider iPod Hi-Fi to be a missed opportunity for Apple, and one that would benefit tremendously from evolving into a wireless-enabled version 2."

I suppose if your turn the thing up loud enough, you can forget the fact that it is butt-ugly. I would argue, however, that next to sound quality, the looks of the system is very important. I wouldn't put that thing anywhere in my house except the garage or laundry room. Maybe when I see it in person, I'll be pleasantly surprised.

Judging a speaker system on it's looks.

If everyone bought iPods only on their looks ....

You know, about 1/2 of the iPod zombies did buy them only on their looks. Repeat buyers must like how they work and sound. Most people would not be fooled twice by good looks alone. Just ask my third wife.

The design is reminiscent of the 70s. I like it.

It's like this folks

PC Magazine FOR YEARS have been nothing but completly hostile to our platform and FIRMLY in the Wintel Alliance.

It's only JUST RECENTLY have they changed their tune, and have been throwing a few good articles our way. Do you know why? Ad Revenue.

Not that you know that, I rather hear a good honest balanced review from true audiophile related sites/opinions without a AD REVENUE bias slant.

My argument is like many others, Apple overhyped this thing as a "HiFi" when it's nothing even close to it.

Second it's overpriced by at least $250.

Third the fabric on the front is fragile, tends to get dirty and ripped.

Fourth it's semi-portable, which there are dozens of much better products with more features in it's class.

Fifth you really can't get true stereo sound because the speakers are housed in one unit and there is no connections to add more speakers or even go surround sound.

Sixth for the same money one can get a surround sound system in a box.

Seventh there is no clock, cd player or much of anything else that usually comes with a device in this class.

Eighth the iPod sticking out of the top is completely stupid and doesn't fit well on a shelf.

Ninth it's GOD F_UGLY and a outdated design like something I saw in a 2001 Space Odessy movie.

Tenth those speakers are not going to last long with any real usage in a noisy enviroment. The wattage is too low, there is no base.

Eleventh it doesn't even have a handle on top to carry it with using one hand, you have to use two.

And the last reason is this, I have listened and visually seen the iPod HiFi up close, I was not impressed with the sound or the quality of the device for that sort of money.

PC Magazine has always tailored their articles to favor whoever is generating income for them.

These editors take articles written by dozens of writers, scan through them much like a kid scans through baseball cards, picking out which ones to spin on the public.

"Oh Apple has spend $10,000 this week on ad's, we will pump their overpriced product, this article looks good"

*writer gets paid for writing something he doesn't truly beleive in* writer: "But hey, it's how I make my living"

or

"Apple has all that money, lets write some glowing articles and hope they reciporcate by buying ads."

4.5 Stars is way too high of a rating for this device, anyone who blindly beleives everything written by most of these magazines sites based on ad revenue is a fool.

1: Listen for yourself

2: Judge the product and features yourself

3: Shop around

4: Consider spending slightly more money to get much more in return

You'll see that the iPod HiFI is not all about that.

I finally listened to it, touched it. lifted and tried my aiff music on it.

results:

Sounds Ok - Nothing to write MDN about.

Too heavy and fragil for the beach

No rechargeable batterie- takes $ 12 worth of Duracell - for how long?

Poor Stereo imaging

No video send through.

High frecuencies are missing - listen to an NHT super Zero and you know what I mean - 1/3 the price minus amp

should be $ 149.

MDN take sucks as usual. Ah, the mac faithful: "Apple please take my money".
I might consider this speaker for $200, maybe $250, but I don't think so. Otherwise, no way. Notice, I'm not saying that it is a bad speaker or sounds bad or is bad quality. And I'm not telling anyone not to buy it, unless you're asking me, but I am saying that I'm not buying it.

<i>No rechargeable batterie- takes $ 12 worth of Duracell - for how long?</b>

around 5 hours full volume to 15 hours at a lower level

Figure $12 in batteries per 8 hours average with no recharge option.

$1.50 a hour to listen without a power supply.

Nice try Apple

The iPod hifi is just like the original iPod. Compact, easy to use, pricey, and good sounding.

---

good point. the ipod is pricey when compared to a walkman.
the hifi is pricey when compared to the bose units.

like apple said, they would fairly be compared to OTHER $1000 units.

Too heavy and fragil for the beach

----

haha.. say again?

the same geeks were whining that there isn't a central handle. It's like 20 lbs.

If that's too heavy for you, you have bigger problems than a stereo for your ipod.

Secondly how can something be heavy AND fragile, it's a freakin block.

Thirdly, EVERYTHING is too fragile for the beach. You're considering taking a high end stereo system to the beach, to have your iPod sitting there, waiting to be stolen?!



Not surprisingly, you guys sound like the PC users whining about clock speed on a PowerPC. Use one before you try looking at the specs and bitching for the sake of bitching.

Plastic will melt/warp in the heat at the beach.

Nobody in their right mind would buy this POS.

The last several posts were brought to you by your good friends at MacDude, Inc. under different names. MacDude - Trolling for a better tomorrow.

Mike: "Thirdly, EVERYTHING is too fragile for the beach. You're considering taking a high end stereo system to the beach, to have your iPod sitting there, waiting to be stolen?!"

To quote Apple: "Or take your show on the road courtesy of D-cell battery(2) power. All that makes iPod Hi-Fi pretty extraordinary."

Apple suggest one take it with them where ever they go...that includes the beach.

The last several posts were brought to you by your good friends at MacDude, Inc. under different names.

Sorry that's not true.

Ålthough I do have a lot of imitators.

But there is only one, original MacDude

Bill Gates demonstrates media center (a great laugh)

Plus more videos here

http://youtube.com/watch?v=aDDfOoNb8ag&search=bill gates


Brought to you by the one, the orignal, often duplicated MacDude

MacDude: your ego, arrogance, ignorance and uninformed condescending ramblings are one of a kind (fortunately); the names you attribute to your various postings are sadly not.

You are a troll and a...

iPod Hi-Fi approximately ROCKS! And it is superlative; a great value!

Why?

Because I said so.

So what Macdude, most commercial media has all sorts of unsavoury connections, motives and agendas, and it mostly comes down to one or two things... And it ain't informing the public about things we really do need to know about the world. That doesn't preclude them from hitting the nail on the head from time to time of course.

Money, power.

So with that in mind, reviews and particularly of something as individual as the perception of sound, I take as a guide, and that's it, Macdude. This is definitely an experiential product.

Maybe I won't like it, maybe I will, maybe not enough to fork out that much hard earned.

Question authority, and never take anything at face value. Or pick your nose in public.

MacDude has really polluted MDN's comments sections to the point where I almost don't scroll down to the read the comments anymore. It's a shame how annoying and overwhelmingly distracting to the course of conversation his posts are.

I might buy my niece one but first need to find out if it can be locked down. She lives in a dorm and some of those students are big time thieves.

"All these people who have compared it to their high end home system completely miss the point of a product like this."

I have neither seen nor heard one in person, but, I think a lot of the outcry is because if you listen to the product announcement made by Steve himself, he actually alludes to the fact that he is going to replace his own hi-end system with one of these. Maybe he was just using a little hyperbole - or was it RDF? I don't know. Steve Jobs made the overstatements - and you have to agree that he did overstate it. Maybe he should have been a little less grandiose and just annouced it for what it was - a high quality iPod "boom box" accessory.

If you listen to one and want it, then purchase it. My point is only in regards to the way in which it was presented by Steve - a bit over hyped for what it really is, but then again Steve has always had a flair for the dramatic. It's in his DNA.

"I might buy my niece one but first need to find out if it can be locked down. She lives in a dorm and some of those students are big time thieves."

If you get a Kensington lock, your niece can loop the cable through one of the handles and attach the other end to an immovable object.

mike: "the same geeks were whining that there isn't a central handle. It's like 20 lbs.

If that's too heavy for you, you have bigger problems than a stereo for your ipod."

um...yeah, 20 lbs is portable. Have you tried lugging around an 8 lb laptop? Do us a favor: Go walking around carrying your iPod Hi-Fi. Since there's no central handle, that's the only thing you can carry. And I bet you'll be crying uncle just carrying this thing 1 block.

mike: "Secondly how can something be heavy AND fragile, it's a freakin block."

Oh, and while you're carrying your iPod Hi-Fi around, try dropping it. Oh, it doesn't sound so good anymore? Hmm, wonder why? Maybe the FRAGILE components inside broke?

Get a clue.